Guwahati: If you are an industrialist looking to invest in one of the industrially backward districts of the Northeast, there are additional incentives available under the new industrial policy.
Under the Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialisation Scheme (UNNATI) 2024, the new industrial policy for Northeast, districts have been categorised into two zones.
Zone A (Industrially Advanced Districts) and Zone B (Industrially Backward Districts) are based on the NER Districts SDG Index prepared by NITI Aayog, UNDP, and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. Additional incentives are being provided to units investing in Zone B districts to stimulate economic growth in these regions.
The list was made by the Steering committee in consultation with NITI Aayog and the State Governments of NER. The scheme came to force from March 9 this year and will remain in force up to and inclusive of March 8, 2034, and 8 more years for meeting committed liabilities. Registration will continue till March 31, 2026, subject to the guidelines issued in this regard.
Out of 129 districts in Northeast, 118 districts in NE that are in Zone B will get more incentives under the new scheme.
In Assam-Kamrup metropolitan, Jorhat, Nalbari, Kamrup, and Nagaon are Zone A districts. In Meghalaya- East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills and West Garo Hills are Zone A districts, while in Sikkim, Gangtok and Pakyong are Zone A districts.
All eligible units located in Zone A District in the States of North-Eastern Region will be provided Capital Investment Incentive @30% of the eligible investment made in plant and machinery (for the manufacturing sector) or for construction of building and installation of other durable physical assets (for services sector) with a maximum limit of Rs. 5 crore. For those sectors where GST is not applicable, the maximum limit of this incentive will be Rs. 10 crore.
All eligible units located in Zone B category blocks in the States of the North-Eastern Region will be provided Capital Investment Incentive @50% of the eligible investment made in plant and machinery (for manufacturing), or for construction of building and installation of other durable physical assets (for services sector) with a maximum limit of Rs.7.50 crore. For those sectors where GST is not applicable, the maximum limit of this incentive will be Rs. 10 crore
All eligible units located in Zone A category blocks in the States of the North-Eastern Region can avail of Capital Interest Subvention at the annual rate of interest of 3% for a maximum of 7 consecutive years from any date after the date of application for registration under this scheme. However, disbursement of the eligible amount under this incentive shall begin only after the commencement of commercial production.
All eligible units located in Zone B category blocks in the States of the North-Eastern Region can avail of Capital Interest Subvention at the annual rate of interest of 5% for a maximum of 7 consecutive years from any date after the date of application for registration under this scheme. However, disbursement of the eligible amount under this incentive shall begin only after the commencement of commercial production.
Also Read | Why floods in Kaziranga kill more Hog Deer than other species
